Hydraulic type fluid transmission



y 1953 L. E. HUTCHISON HYDRAULIC TYPE FLUID TRANSMISSION 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed April 5, 1947 y 1953 E. HUTCHISON HYDRAULIC TYPE FLUIDTRANSMISSION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill/, r 4

Filed April 5, 1947 Patented July 21, 1953 2,645,900 HYDRAULIC TYPEFLUID TRANSMISSION Loyd" E. Hutchison, Houston, Tex; I Application April5, 1947, Serial No; 739,601

1 This invention relates to hydraulic type fluid transmission.

An object of the invention isto provide a novel type of pumping unit forreciprocating the sucker rod of a deep well pump.

Another object of the invention is toprovi-dex a well pumping. unitwhich will be substantially balanced by fluid pressure thus eliminatingthe cumbersome counterbalancing weights now commonly employed inconnection with the walking beam for reciprocating the pumpsucker rodnow in common use.

Wells, particularly oil wells, vary in depth from a few hundred feet tomany thousands of feet;

and in pumping wells the load to be lifted includingthe Sucker rodsandtheliquid columns vary from a few hundred pounds to many thou,-

sands of pounds depending on the depth of the 1 well and the diameterofthepump plunger.

The liquid is pumped from these wells, at the present time, by the useof a pumping unit which includes a walking beam connected to the pumpSucker rod andthis walking beam is counterbalanced by heavycount'erweights so as to balance the sucker rod upon down strokethereof. This type of pumping unit is heavy and cumbersomea'nd requiresspecial equipment and skill to properly operate the same and to keep theload on the walking beam properly balanced. Changing conditions in thewell also readily throw this type of pumpingunit out of balance thuscausing extra-vibration andw'e'ar.

It is one of the main objects of the present invention to overcome the"disadvantages referred to by providing a pumping unit wherein the Suckerrods and a majorpercentage of the weight features of construction,operation and arrange- .ment of parts, 'an example of which is given inthis specification and illustrated by the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Figure 1 is aside elevation of the complete unit installed on a well.

Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, elevational view taken at rightangles to the view shown in Figure 1. g

Figure 3 is aplan view, partly in section, of

the pressure controlling assembly shown in,Fig-

Figure lis a plan view of the unit taken on the line 4 4io fFigure 1.

Figure 5- is an enlarged, verticalsectional view of the power cylinderand the pressure controlling unit associated therewith.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken.

onthe line 66 of Figure 3, and

.Figure lis a fragmentary, side elevation illus: trating the mounting ofthe power cylinder on the well head Structure.

Referring now'more particularly'to the drawings wherein-like numerals ofreference designate the same parts in each of the figures, the numeral ldesignates the upper end of the welltubing which may have a tubing head2 connected thereto. In the present illustration this tubing head is inthe form of a T-connection thus providing alateral flow line 3 for theliquid being pumped. Mounted on this tubing head, and secured thereto,there is the tubular section 4 whose upper end is provided with aconventional stufling box a construction 5 through which the upper endof the Well'sucker rods 6 reciprocate.

- 1 This Sucker rod extends downin to thewell of the load being liftedare balanced by air under pressure and the pump'is actuatedhydraulically. Thepumping unit herein described is comparatively lightsince the walking beam, reduction gearing and counterbalancing weightsof the conventional type of pumping unit are eliminated thus requiringless material for the foundation andsupporting structure for the unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pumping unitof the character de- I scribed whereby the-unit canbe easily and quicklybrought back to normalbalance; Should it become unbalanced, without.stopping the operation of the unit. 7

The invention also embodies means'whereby. the speed of operation of theWell pump may easily varied and controlled.

Another feature of the'invention resides in the provision of a pumpingunit which may be'readily adjusted to a position to allow the pulling ofthe sucker rods and well'pump from the well without dismantling ordisturbing the pumping unit itself. Withthe above and other objects inview the invention has particular relation to certain novel tubin Ithere is a frame 1.

I Pivoted, at one end, to the frame there are the and is connected, atits lower end, to the pump plunger which recip'rocates in theconventional pump barrel connected to the lower end of the,

well tubing.

This well pump has not been shown in the;-

drawings for the reason that its construction is well known to thosefamiliar with the pumping art. Upon upstroke of the sucker rods 6 andthe pump plunger a column of liquid will be elevated and a portion-of itdischarged through the line 3' and upon down stroke of the pump plungeran additionalload'of liquid'will be accumulated above the plunger to bmoved upwardly upon the next upstroke of the sucker rods.

The unit hereinafter described has been-spe-' cially designed forbalancing the sucker rods and a portion of the liquid load and forhydraulically actuating the un-itto reciprocate the suckererods.

Suitably secured to the upper end'of the well side supports 8, 8- andtheother ends of these side supportsare'secured'to the frame 1 by means ofa removablerod 9.

Mounted on the supports 8 are the upstanding tubular supporting legs l0,l8, four being shown. Supported on the upper ends of these legs there isa platform I I. Rods, as I2, extend downwardly through the corners ofthe platform The upper ends of these rods are formed with heads I3 whichengage the platform and the lowerends of the rods are secured to theside supports 6. a

There is a vertical power cylinder I4 whose lower end extends throughthe platform H and is secured thereto, preferably by welding;

Screwed onto the lower end of the power cylinder beneath the platformthere is a closure cap l5 and fitted upwardly through said cap and,preferably welded thereto, there is a lower pressure cylinder l6 whoselower end is formed with a conventional stuffing box H which surroundsand forms a fluid tight seal with the rod 6.

Screwed onto the upper end of the power cylinder there is a cap l8 andan upper pressure cylinder I9 is fitted downwardly through said cap andsecured thereto preferably by welding. The upper end of the cylinder I9is closed.

Within the power cylinder I4 there is a close fitting piston 2|] andformed integrally with said piston there are the lower and upperplungers 2| and 22 of a size to fit snugly into the corresponding lowerand upper cylinders l6 and I9.

It will be noted from an inspection of Figure 5 that the cylinders I6,I9 extend inwardly a distance beyond the caps through which they extend.

There is a pressure controlling unit associated with the power cylinderwhich includes an outer jacket 23 and an inner cylinder 24 fittedtherein, both enclosed, at the ends, by the end plates 25 and 26 bolted,or otherwise secured, to the respective ends of the unit.

Leading from the cylinder |6 beneath the cap I5 there is a pressure line21 which enters the upper end of the cylinder 24 through the upper endplate 25 and leading from the upper cylinder l9 above the cap |8 thereis a pressure'line 28 which enters the lower end of the cylinder 24through the lower end cap 26.

Formed on one side of the jacket 23 there is a manifold 29 provided withthe ducts 3D and 3| which lead from the respective lower and upper endsthereof inwardly and whose inner ends are inwardly turned through thewall of, and enter, the cylinder 24.

A conducting line 32 leads from within the lower end of the powercylinder |4 opposite the cylinder l6 and enters the lower end of theduct 30 and a conducting line 33 leads from the upper end of the powercylinder, opposite the cylinder 19 and is connected into the upper endof th duct 3|.

Also formed on one side of the jacket 23 there is a manifold 34 having aduct 35 leading from its lower to its upper end and which is connectedby the lower and upper ports 36 and 31 into the cylinder 24.

There is a main pressure tank 38 which is equipped with a valvecontrolled connection 39 for the attachment of a filling hose thereto.

A pressure line 40 leads from the bottom of the tank and is connectedinto the intake 4| of a hydraulic pump 42. This pump may be driven inany suitable manner. As shown it is operatively connected with anddriven by an electric motor 43. Leading from the discharge side of thepump 42 there is a pressure line 44 which enters the cylinder throughthe side port 45. This side 4 port is located approximately midwaybetween the ends of the cylinder 24.

A return line 46 leads from the lower end of the duct 35 and isconnected into the pump intake 4|, as shown in Figure 4. The upper endof duct 35 is closed by a plug 35a.

Sections of the pressure line 44 and return line 1 46 are formedflexible as more accurately indicated in Figure 1 so that when it may bedesired to pull the pump sucker rods and pump from the well the rod 9may be removed and the power cylinder I4, its support and appendants maybe swung over to one side out of the way as indicated in Figure '7without dismantling or otherwise disturbing the pumping unit. The powerline 44 and the return line 46 are connected by means of a by-passconnection 41 which is equipped with a valve 48 that may be normallyopened or closed by a grip member 48 with which the valve is equipped.By opening the valve 48 the operating fiuid from the pump may be causedto wholly, or partly, by-pass the cylinder 24 and enter the return line46.

Mounted on the upper end of the pump pressure line 44 there is asuitable pressure gauge 50 by means of which the pressure of theoperating fiuid will, at all times, be revealed.

There is a pressure operable electric switch 5| which is wired incircuit with the motor, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Connected into the pressure line 44 there is a nipple 52, screwed intothe outer end of which there is a T fitting 53. The inner end of thenipple 52 is formed with a valve seat 54 and co-opcrating with said seatthere is an outwardly opening valve 55.

Screwed into the other end of the fitting 53 there is a plug 56 Whoseinner end is formed with a deep socket 51 and the valve is provided withthe stem 58 which works in said socket. Surrounding said stem andinterposed between the inner end of the plug 56 and the valve there is astrong coil spring 59 which normally holds the valve closed. The outerend of the plug 56 has an opening 60 therethrough to receive a handle 6|by means of which the plug may be turned.

The switch 5| is mounted on a T fitting 62 which is connected with thefitting 53 by means 'of a cross pipe 63 which may be opened and closedat will by means of a valve 64. The fitting 62 may be open for drainagepurposes, or to release the pressure therein, by means of a suitablecock 65 connected to the lower end of the fitting 62.

When the pressureflat which the unit will operate has been determinedthe plug 56 may be screwed outwardly to permit such pressure to enterthe fitting 62 and the switch 5| will be set to remain closed at suchpressure. The plug 56 may then be screwed inwardly to apply additionalcompressive force to the spring 59 so that the valve 55 will not openunless an excessive pressure is reached and in case of such excessivepressure the valve 55 will be opened and the pressure in the fitting 62will be increased and under'the influence of said increased pressure theswitch 5| will be opened and the motor stopped.

Within the cylinder 24 of the controlling assembly there is acontrolling piston assembly that will now be described.

This assembly includes a reduced piston body 66 fixed on which are theintermediate spaced pistons 61 and 68. There are also the end pisbly isinbalanced position with the intermedi-- ate pistons 61 and 68 betweenthe ports 36 and 31.

The entire system including the-cylinders I4,

I6 and I9, the pressure lines 21 and 28, the conducting lines 32 and 33,the controlling assembly, the pressure line and return line 44,. 46,-

as well as the bypass connection 41 and the cross-pipe 63 will be filledwith a suitableoperating liquid, such as a suitable oil. The pump,

42 and the pressure line 40 leading, from the tank 38 are also filledwith this liquid; The tank 38 is only partly filled with liquid andsufficient fluid pressure is then introduced into said tank and appliedto the liquid therein andthis pressure is transmitted to, the operatingliquid filling the system. The amount of pressure in the tank 38 is onlyslightly less than the pressure required to sustain the operating load,that is the load of the sucker rods and the column of liquid in the wellpipe being pumped. The electric motor 43 and pump 42 will supply theadditional power required'to operate the well pump while pumping thewell.

As is illustrated in Figure the operating fluid has been applied throughthe pressure line 44 and theconducting line 32 into the lower end of thepower cylinder I4 and the piston '20 has been elevated, that is a powerstroke of the well pump has just been completed. The plunger 22 entering the cylinder I9 places the liquid in said last mentioned cylinderunder. additional pressure which is transmitted through the pressureline 28 into the lower end of the cylinder 24 thus forcing the pistonassembly in said cylinder upwardly and closing the duct 30, that iscutting it off from the pressure line 44 and'opening the duct III to thepressure line 33. At the same time the lower end of the power cylinderI4 will be connected, through said conducting line 32 and duct 36 withthe return line 46, through the port 36. The piston will now be forceddownwardly in the cylinder I4.

The plungers 2| and 22 are provided with channels, as 2Ia and 220.leading from the outer ends thereof longitudinally through said plungerswith the other ends of said channels laterally turned through thecorresponding plungers.

The outer ends of these channels are closedby the outwardly opening flapvalves 2 lb, 22b'so that on upward movement of a plunger the channel2211 through said plunger will be closed by the valve 22?) but uponreverse movement of the plunger the valve 22b may open and vice versa.Provision is thus madeso that there will be no vacuum created behind thepiston as it moves forwardly in either direction.

Upon movement of the plunger 22 from the cylinder I9 the pressure abovethe piston 26 will pass through the channel 22a so that at all timesduring the downward movement of the piston 26 there will be sufircientpressure in the cylinder 24 beneath the valve assembly therein tomaintain said assembly in elevated position, as is shown in Figure 5,with the duct in communication with the duct 35, through the port .36,to allow the operating fluid beneath the piston 20 to enter the returnline 46. v

The pressure controlling unit will remain, in

t I I the positionshowniniFigure 5 duringsaid downward movement of the=piston20.

It may be here stated. that the pistons, 61, 68, 69 and 10 are fixed inrelation to the body 66. This is accomplished by providing transversepins 11 and I6 through the body and through the corresponding stems IIand 12, as is indicated in Figure 5, and, if desired, this pistonassembly maybe made as a unit.

As the piston 26 approaches the: limit of its downward: movement thevplunger 2| will enter the cylinder I6 applying pressure to theoperating'liquid trapped in said. cylinder and this pres"- sure will betransmitted through theline 21 into the upper end of the cylinder 24 ofthe controlling. assembly thus moving the piston assembly, in saidcylinder 24., downwardly andconne'cting the line 33, through the duct 31and po'rt31 with-th return line 46' and connecting the line 32, throughthe duct 30, with the pressure line 44, thusinitiating the returnmovement of the piston 20. The:

pressure of this operating fluidwill move the piston 20 upwardly and thepressure of the operat ing fluid beneath the piston 20 will initiallypass" through the the ductlla until the plunger 2 I cleared thecylinderI6 sothat at all times during the upward movement of the piston20'pre'ssur will be applied: through the line 21 against pleting acycleof movement.

, Should it be desired to vary the speed of opera- I tion of the wellpump, this may be done'by the This valvemay' be completely closed valve48. so that the full pressure generated by the pump 42 may-be applied tothe piston 20 or the valve 48 may be partially opened to by-pa'ss aportion of the pressure through the by-pas's ccnnection 4| to the returnline 46-whioh will have the effect of slowingupv the operation of thewell pump.

When the pump stops the controlling piston assembly in the cylinder24-willessume an intermediate position with the pistons 61 and 68between the ports 36, 31, as shown in Figure-6. In order to movethecontrolling piston assembly ofl J of center in starting the unit therehas been pro-- vvided" a rod I9 having a T head locatedbe-w Fastened tothetween the pistons Bland 68. outer end of the rod I9 there is a handle6| by means of which said'rod and T head may beinder on opposite sidesof the piston, a pressure line entering said assembly'and a return lineleading from the assembly, said assemblyincluding controlling meansoperable to connect one of said conduits with the pressurelin and theother of said conduits with the return line,-pres sure applyingconduits, pressure applying means operable by the piston for applyingpressure through said conduits, alternately, to opposite sides of thecontrolling means wherebyapplicawill be effected alternately.

2. A pumping unit comprising, a power cylin der, a piston therein,me'ansfor connecting the piston, to a well pump, pressure cylinders atopposite ends of the power cylinder, plungers on the'piston arranged toenter the pressure cylinders a pressure controlling assembly, pressureconducting lines leading from said assembly and connected into saidpressure cylinders on opposite sides of the piston, a pressure supplyline leading from a sourc of pressure fluid and connected into saidpontrolling assembly, a return line leading from said assembly to saidsource, said controlling assembly including valve means operable byfluid pressure and movable to one position to connect the pressure linewith one of the conducting lines and to simultaneously connect thereturn line with the other conducting line, said valve means beingmovable to another position to reverse said connections, whereby fluid,under pressure, will be appli d to opposite sides of the piston,alternately, and relieved from the forward sides of the pistonconducting lines through which said fluid pressure may be relieved fromthe front of the piston, and means for causing a, selected portlon ofthe operating pressure fluid to by-pass the controlling assembly intothe return line.

3. Pumpin equipment comprising, a power cylinder, a piston therein,pressure cylinders at the ends of the power cylinder, plungers on thepiston which enter the corresponding pressure cylinders at the ends ofthe piston stroke means for connecting the piston to a well pump, apressure controlling assembly, conduits leading from said assembly andconnected into said cylinder on opposite sides of the piston, conduitsleading from said assembly and connected into each pressure cylinder apressure tank, a hydraulic pump, a pressure line leading from the tankand connected into the pump intake, a pressure line leading from thedischarge side of the pump and connected into the controlling assembly,a return line leading from said assembly and connected into the pumpintake, said controlling assembly including pressure controlling meansmovable to one position to connect the pressure line with one of saidconduits and to simultaneously connect the return line with the otherconduit, said prespositi to reverse said connections whereby fluid,under ressure, will be applied to opposite sides of the pistonalternately and relieved from the forwari sides of the piston.

4. A pumping unit comprising, a power cylinder, a piston therein, meansfor connecting the piston to a well pump, pressure cylindersat oppositeends of the power cylinder, plungers on the piston arranged to enter thepressure cylinders alternatively to create pressure therein, a pressurecontrolling assembly provided with a cylinder and a piston assemblymounted therein, pressure lines leading from said pressure cylinders tothe controlling assembly and connected into the cylinder thereof onopposite sides of said piston assembly, a pressure supply line leadingfrom a source of fluid pressure and connected into the cylinder of thecontrolling assembly, a return line leading from said last mentionedcylinder to said source, conducting lines leading from the cylinder ofthe pressure controlling assembly and connected into the power cylinderadjacent opposite ends thereof, said power piston being arranged toforce one plunger into one pressure cylinder and to thereby shift thepiston assembly to relieve the other pressure line and connect thesupply line, through a conducting line, with the sure cggtrolling meansbeing movable to another.

8 power cylinder to reverse the movement of said piston therein.

5. A pumping unit comprising a main power cylinder, a main pistontherein, means for connecting the piston to a well pump, pressurecylinders at opposite ends of the power cylinder and of reducedtransverse diameter, plungers on the piston arranged to enter thepressure cylinders alternatively to create pressure therein, a pressurecontrolling assembly provided with a cylinder and a piston assemblymounted in said cylinder, a pressure line leading from a pressurecylinder, at one end of the power cylinder, to the controlling assemblyand connected into the cylinder thereof on one side of said pistonassembly, a pressure supply line leading from a source of fluid pressureand connected into the cylinder of the controlling assembly, a returnline leading from said last mentioned cylinder to said source, aconducting line leading from the cylinder of the pressure controllingassembly and connected into the other end of the power cylinder, saidcontrolling assembly having passages to connect said pressure line withthe return line and to connect the pressure supply line with saidconducting line, said piston assembly being arranged to be operated bythe pressure in said pressure line to open said passageways and tothereby shift the piston assembly to open said passages and to completesaid connections.

6. A pumping unit comprising a main power cylinder, a main pistontherein, means for connecting the piston to a well pump, pressurecylinders at opposite ends of the power cylinder and of reducedtransverse diameter, plungers on the piston arranged to enter thepressure cylinders alternatively to create pressure therein, a pressurecontrolling assembly provided with a cylinder and a piston assemblymounted in said cylinder, a pressure line leading from a pressurecylinder, at one end of the power cylinder, to the controlling assemblyand connected into the cylinder thereof on one side of said pistonassembly, a pressure supply line leading from a source of fluid pressureand connected into the cylinder 7 of the controlling assembly, a returnline leading from said last mentioned cylinder to said source, aconducting line leading from the cylinder of the pressure controllingassembly and connected into the other end 'of the power cylinder, saidcontrolling assembly having passages to connect said pressure line withthe return line and to connect the pressure supply line with saidconducting line, said piston assembly being arranged to be operated bythe pressure in said pressure line to open said passageways and tothereby shift the piston assembly to open said passages and to completesaid connections, and a valve-controlled relief passageway through saidpiston and plungers to relieve pressure from the pressure cylinders.

LOYD E. HUTCHISON.

References Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberI Name Date 206,708 Dow Aug. 6, 1878 717,136 Thomas Dec. 30, 19021,129,964 Ebeling Mar. 2, 1915 1,273,618 Julien et al July 23, 19191,906,965 Hobson May 2, 1933 2,139,101 Spencer Dec. 6, 1938 2,157,240Keel May 9, 1939 2,292,331 Vertson Aug. 4, 1942 2,394,160 Emmitt Feb. 5,1946

